A pick 6 can be a game-changing momentum in the NFL matches. Now, many of you want to know: what is a pick 6 in the NFL? Well,
a pick-six happens when the NFL players from the defensive part return or throw an interception and then score a touchdown. American football has so many informal terms. One of them is ‘pick 6’.
Actually, after a turnover, a player from the defense becomes the offense. Therefore, he gets a chance to do a touchdown after catching the interception.
Pick 6 is one of the rare moments in NFL matches. But, it can change the game for both players.
Let’s learn about the term pick 6 more in the below sections.
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Why Is It Call A Pick Six In American Football?
So, do you want to know the pick 6 meaning? If you are new to American football, you won’t be able to know what is a pick 6. Therefore, here we present the reason why it is called a pick 6 and what its meaning is.
So, let’s come to the first word- pick. The word ‘pick’ is slang that is used to depict an interception. When the quarterback is picked off by the cornerback in an NFL match, people and players use the word ‘pick’ to describe it.
They can also use this word at times the pick is thrown by the quarterback with 3 minutes left in the game.
Now, let’s focus on the term ‘6’. This term is pretty simple. It implies the number of points that are rewarded to the players when they score a touchdown.
Pick 6 in football only occurs when two essential things happen in an NFL match. Those are an interception and then a touchdown. Here the interception is the pick and the touchdown is the 6.
Where Does The Term ‘Pick Six’ Come From?
The particular term ‘Pick Six’ has got its popularity since the early 2000s. These two words were taken from the term “pick off”. When a player from the defense team in NFL intercepts a pass, it is generally known as a ‘pick off’.
Now, as we told you in the earlier section, the number 6 indicates the total number of points that are rewarded to the player after he scores a touchdown.
After an interception, players continue to play the game. A touchdown happens when the players from the defensive part get to the end zone of their opponent or offensive team, ending up with getting 6 points as a reward.
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Difference Between An Interception And Pick 6
The basic difference between an interception and a pick-six is that only an interception is never considered a pick-six. Pick 6 can’t be possible without an interception.
The next thing players of the NFL need to happen pick 6 is a touchdown, followed by an interception.
An interception happens in a football match when a quarterback throws a ball and a defensive player catches it.
After the interception, the player from the defense with the ball has a chance for a touchdown by running it back.
If the offensive players tackle him, then that team will score a fresh set of touchdowns.
If they can run back to the end zone without being handled by the offense, they will score a touchdown and will be rewarded with point 6.
How Can Pick Six Affect The American Football?
A pick-six in American football is a game-changing moment. Not only it allows the defensive players to get additional 6 points but also creates immense pressure on the QB that he is forced to rethink his decisions.
Now, this can prove very beneficial to the defense team. With extreme pressure on his back, a QB can do multiple mistakes in the match.
Players With The Most Pick Sixes In NFL History
There are countless players who made pick-sixes in several matches in the NFL. but there are few football players who held the highest records.
Here they are:
- Rod Woodson- 12
- Darren Sharper- 11
- Charles Woodson- 11
- Aqib Talib- 10
- Ken Houston- 9
- Deion Sanders- 9
- Aeneas Williams- 9
- Eric Allen- 8
- Ronde Barber-8
- Charles Tillman- 8
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What Aspects Can Increase The Chance Of Getting A Pick 6?
As for a defensive player, there are multiple aspects that can enhance the chance of getting a pick 6 in American football or the NFL.
They are:
- IQ
- Speed
- Vision
- Hands
- Blocking Ability
- Ability to Break Tackles
As for a QB, the aspects that can increase the chance of getting a pick 6 are:
- The ability of Decision-Making
- Tackling Ability
- Chemistry With Other Offense Players
- Speed
- Accuracy
Frequently Asked Questions-
Q1. Who Uses Pick Six?
Pick Six is a particular term in American football that is generally used as slang when a defensive player intercepts a pass or a ball, thrown by a QB, and then scores a touchdown.
American football has so many informal terms. One of them is ‘pick 6’. The word ‘pick’ is slang that is used to depict an interception.
Number 6 implies the number of points that are rewarded to the players when they score a touchdown.
Q2. Can Any Player On Defense Score A Pick 6?
Yes, a player from the defense can definitely score a pick 6. They will be able to score a pick 6 when they intercept a pass that a QB throws and run back to do a touchdown.
The IQ, Vision, speed, blocking ability, and hands of the defensive players help them achieve a pick 6 in an NFL match.
Q3. Why a Pick 6 is So Impactful?
A pick happens when both an interception and a touchdown occur in an American football match.
Not only it allows the defensive players to get additional 6 points but also creates immense pressure on the QB that he is forced to rethink his decisions.
Final Thoughts
Here is everything about a pick 6 in American football matches. Being one of the exciting moments in the match, pick 6 can change the fate of the games as well as the players.